Which of the following is a key principle of Lean methodology?

A fundamental principle of Lean methodology is the elimination of waste. Lean focuses on enhancing efficiency by systematically identifying and removing non-value-adding activities within processes. This approach helps organizations streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve overall quality by concentrating resources on activities that directly contribute to value for the customer or patient.

The emphasis on waste reduction is central to Lean thinking, which defines waste as anything that does not add value to the end product or service. By adopting Lean practices, organizations aim to optimize workflows, thereby improving the delivery of care and reducing unnecessary burdens on staff and systems.

While increasing workforce size, maximizing patient throughput, and forming multidisciplinary teams can be beneficial strategies in healthcare, they do not encapsulate the essence of Lean methodology as effectively as the elimination of waste does. Lean encourages organizations to do more with less by refining existing processes rather than simply expanding resources or capacities.